Is there a safe way to induce labor at home?

At my 38 week appointment yesterday I was 1cm dilated and 90% effaced. My blood pressure has been high on and off throughout my pregnancy and now my doctor is starting to talk about inducing labor. I have another appointment tomorrow morning and he will likely schedule the induction.

I understand that it could be SO much worse than an induction and I am willing to have it if necessary, but I would prefer to avoid it as I feel natural labor is less stressful for the baby than forced medical induction.
So, have any of you have an luck with any “natural” ways to induce? Like sex, nipple stimulation, walking, etc?
Thanks for any information.

A question for moms who have been induced…?

So I am 40 weeks 1 day pregnant with my first. I have not dilated or effaced AT ALL, and I have not had ONE contraction. The baby has come down, and my doctor can feel his head, but that is all. My birth plan, since before we conceived, has always been to give birth at what is called ‘The Alternative Birthing Center’. It is basically all of the good things of a home birth, only it is at a hospital. So if, god forbid, anything were to go wrong the baby would be safe, but I would not be hooked up to monitors or IVs, I would be able to walk around, labor in the shower, tub, push in any position that I want. Bottom line, very little, if any, medical interventions are used at the birthing center. It is completely 100% natural. At this point I am nervous that I will not go into labor by myself and will have to be induced. This means I will no longer qualify to give birth at the birthing center, which I am okay with, as long as my son comes out healthy and happy.

My problem is I have done TONS of research on natural child birth, and know pretty much all I can know about it, with out actually being a doctor of course. I have not, however, looked into modern birth practices, which I will be doing that after posting this question. I was hoping to read the induction stories of other moms. I just have never seen pregnancy and birth as a medical condition needing a medical procedure, and it all scares me.

My question is for moms who have been induced (I have quite a few…):

– Were you able to labor with out any pain medication?
– If you did end up needing an epidural did it slow your labor tremendously?
– Did you end up with a c-section?
– Were you still able to successfully breastfeed?
– Just any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so very much for your help.
Thank you everyone! All of your answers and advice are stellar! I don’t want to have to choose best answer :o( I have done a bit more research, and I do feel better now. I also think that due to my long cycles, yeah 33 days on average, that really my due date should probably have been this Friday (April 16th) and NOT this past Monday (April 12). So, we are feeling good, and hubby is takin’ me out to dinner tonight, woohoo! Thank you again so very much!!!

Should I just go for the C-section?

I know this is really only something I and my OB can decide but I would like some opinions. I really wanted to go all natural but I don’t know if it is even worth trying.

Reasons:
This is my second child. My first was born at 21 weeks gestation and died shortly after birth due to placental abruption.
They will not have me go past about 36 weeks so as to not put any additional pressure on my placenta.This means induction which %40 of all inductions end in c-sectons anyway.
This baby also has a umbilical cord that is attached to the side of the placenta instead of the middle so he will likely be growth restricted and lower in birth weight.

I have read that usually they let you try to labor normally but if the baby shows sings of distress than they do a c-section. The baby can have trouble getting enough oxygen and in rare cases the umbilical cord can pull away from the placenta during labor leaving him without any oxygen until they can rush the c-section. But now I am thinking I don’t even want to risk having problems when laboring. I am thinking I am just going to ask for a planned c-section. We do want more kids but after what we have been through we care more about getting through this pregnancy than worrying about the future and how c-sections effect future pregnancies. What is your opinion?
My pregnancy is considered high risk and I am currently seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. She is generally not one to push the c-section and she said I do not HAVE to go early if I insists on going longer we can do that but I have already held one child as he took his last breath…. I can’t do that again. I am going to do what they recommend and let them take this baby early. March of Dimes had done a study that shows before 36 weeks there are more risks and problem but as of right now there are no known long term risks of problems for those infants born after 36 weeks. My doctor really hasn’t even suggested a c-section as of yet but I just am trying to decide if I just want to ask for one.

OBGYN trying to convince me to have a c-section. Not as cut and dry as you’d think…?

Without getting to into detail, I’m 38.5 weeks. I see a midwife, but since I am doing a VBAC it’s policy to meet with an OBGYN at 38 weeks to make sure the VBAC is still the plan. That is the only time this OBGYN is seen.

At that appointment, the OBGYN stressed many times that if I make it to 40 weeks and haven’t gone into labour, that I would need to meet with an OB again to schedule a c-section.

I’m quite annoyed by this. I am having a healthy pregnancy, the baby is healthy. I had a c-section last time because the baby was stuck at 9cms for 2 hours through no fault except the epidural (because I couldn’t get up and walk around or get into different positions).

The hospital I’m delivering at is VBAC friendly, but yeesh, once you get to 40 weeks it’s like they view you as a time bomb. Why is that? Why are doctors so eager to bully women into repeat c-sections if there are no issues with health with you or the baby? What makes 40 weeks the sudden “magical number” when you’ve had a c-section when any other woman will be left alone until 42 weeks?

I just want to go into labour naturally. Everything natural was taken away from me with my previous labour, right straight from the induction to delivery. And this time around, I can’t be induced. So…Why don`t they just allow a natural trial of labour instead of poking their noses into things?

My scar has healed perfectly inside and out. I’m an excellent candidate for a VBAC. So if I’m a perfect candidate UP TO 40 weeks, should I not be just as good after 40 weeks, too Like, seriously, what changes?

Also, the region I live in within Canada does not allow me to find another obstetrician. There are 4 OBs in my area that work on a rotational basis, so I get to see who I get to see. It’s pretty horrible.
Ehh…they say inducing after a previous c-section increases the risk of uterine rupture. They certainly would not use the cervical gel again like last time since you can’t control it, but I have been hearing conflicting arguments on pitocin. Some say a very small dose is okay, some say NO WAY at all. There’s another method which they don’t like to discuss called the Foley catheter. Not sure if you’re familiar, but it’s essentially a balloon that they put in your cervix and slowly fill with saline to artificially force your cervix to dilate…until it gets the message that it should be dilating on its own. But…yeah. every day is stressful watching out for labour because I *really* don’t want to get into an argument over my delivery with anyone, much less a doctor.
C-sections should only be used for necessary emergencies, and not out of convenience! Even if the baby does get “large”, that is no reason to not allow a trial of labour. As long as the baby is fine and the mom is fine, what’s the harm being done?

The midwife, unfortunately, doesn’t have a leg to stand on. I’m being told that after 40 weeks, care is automatically transferred to some random OBGYN and the midwife will have no further dealings with me, except for post partum care. She thinks it’s crazy, too, but I’m basically going to be left fighting a battle alone.
Lori: do you live in a rural area in Canada? 1 hour away from me, in the nearest city, you have the option of looking for another OBGYN if you’re unsatisfied. NOT in my region, like I said. If I want to dive an hour away for my delivery (not happening), then sure, I can choose whoever I want. But throughout Canada, it varies. so really, just because you’re a nurse does not make you the authority on what is standard procedure in one jurisdiction over another.

52 Days no Period! Not good at the whole prenancy thing!?

Hello Everyone..

I’m a 30 year old female and never had the desire to have children since I was a child myself. But since Dec.’08, my husband and I made plans to have a child of our own. After research on conception and ovulation with the works. (lets face it, I am an expert on how not to get pregnant.. no idea how some people could actually get pregnant by accident with all the contraception out there, but that’s another story) So we stripped off the condoms and began unprotected sex.

I’ve always had a 32 day cycle prior to all this and my period has always come like clockwork and right on time..except since I lost my virginity, it tends to skip the month I lost every year since. So I’ve been use to it, it was like.. my period was rebooting that month or something.

Well back to trying to make a baby. It was December when we tried (A LOT) and come January.. no period. We were ecstatic, scared all of the naturals. I waited after the day of when my period usually starts. Negative! and every day after that… ALL NEGATIVE.. but no period.

I scheduled an appointment at a regular doctor on February 6th, and would you know it, I started spotting or something. 6 days later, I felt a twinge of pain on my right side and my period came that morning. And lasted until the 21st. The longest period of my life! A lot of tissue came out..sorry for being too graphic, but it was like Diarhhea spats of tissue falling out of my vagina.

I made a note after that to schedule an appointment with my OBGYN. I put it off sorry to say until recently. My period was suppose to come on the 16th of March. Nothing! Now I’m at 52 days since my last period. 52! My OB and I went over all this and she states that I might have miscarried. I argued a bit because 25 pregnancy test and all were negative. I used my Clearblue monitor and it stated that I never truly peaked during that last period… and I never peaked in this one either. I was High the whole time after the 9th day. I’ve taken 5 pregnancy test so far (not panicking that much anymore)

When she swooped me, she said there was a hint of red and I might be about to begin my period. She gave me a regular pee cup test, not a blood one. That was Mar. 30th at my OBGYN. So yesterday, I wiped myself and saw a hint of blood. Like.. red gooey mucous.. maybe a dot worth. My husband stated that he had some blood on him when he took a shower (I know gross but sorry) I put on a pad and set up banners and scheduled a parade for my periods homecoming. Today…nothing. No period.. no show. Just me left alone with a party hat and negative pregger test #7. Has anything similiar happened to anybody else. Or any suggestions. She wants me to return in 2 weeks if my period doesn’t begin to “induce my period” She also put me on Prenate DHA vitamins. I was taking Fertilaid supplement until a week ago. Goodness.. this all just doesn’t seem natural at all!

Are you good at giving names if you see the person? Here’s two of my characters, could you help me name them?

I know I know this has nothing to do with pregnancy or parenting or baby names but I as people search this topic maybe you are good at naming these two people?
I did my best to describe their characters if you’re going to use that.

ADDITONAL DETAILS: He’s based on this guy http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9614/hesbasedoff.png but he’s not emo.
LINK: (him as an 8 year old) http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8618/hisnamesoontobediscover.jpg
(him as 17-19 year old)
DESCRIPTION: He has black hair in a straggly haircut which is based off this picture. He has full lips and big shining eyes that are black (probably).
PERSONALITY: He’s a sweet, kind orphan who was adopted when he was eight and lived on the streets until then so he‘s pretty street smart. He is an excellent fighter and fights with both magic and swords. As a kid he was always timid and cute and still is sometimes but he’s hardened and shows less of his soft side now. He acts awkward in different situations.
NAME REQUIRMENTS: I need a first name and a last name for this one. His first name can be just about anything, but it can’t be too well known it can be in another language just not English. I need a cute story for his last name because the princess gave it too him. Keep in mind that she was like six when she named him so think like a six year old. An example is like he likes a certain food so she names him after that, or the colour of his eyes (onyx. Actually I might use that if I have too), or how he acts around her. Yeah.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Her first name is Soran but she’s known as Anne. She’s fifteen-sixteen years old.
LINK: http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5024/hernamesoontobediscover.jpg
DESCRIPTION: She has light blond hair (like bleached almost but is natural) and penetrating silver eyes that are very rarely dilated.
PERSONALITY: She’s a kind hearted, soft spoken person unless she feels very strongly about something in which case she will fight for it. She used to be a princess before she forgot it and it shows in her manners and how she speaks and acts.
NAME REQUIRMENTS: Could someone pick a last name that would be also a good name for a country and that could be shortened into a not too abnormal last name?

NOTE: Please try to make the guy’s name! I know girls are sooo much easier, but keep in mind I just want her last name. And his last name has to (welll doesn’t have to but it would be nice) have a back story. Thank you sooo much if you helped me out!
*smiles weirdly* telling me to crack open a baby name book isn’t actually helping, ya know? the reason I posted this question is so that I wouldn’t HAVE to.

And if you don’t want to read the whole thing just click on the links and tell me whatever name first jumps out at you that’s what I always do ^_^
thanks you guys. I’ll wait maybe like one more day then shut this down. Some of you gave me REALLY GREAT answers!!! Thank you!

In-laws pressuring me to induce?

My in-laws are starting to get crazy (well, they’ve always been control freaks) about my pregnancy, and I’d love some input on how to respond to them.

I am 41 weeks and 1 day pregnant with our first baby. I’ve taken lots of childbirth classes and done a lot of research throughout the pregnancy, and apparently it is perfectly normal for first pregnancies to go an average of ten days past the due date. Although tired and really ready for it to be over already, I am not worried at all and don’t feel like a freak of nature. I’ve tried acupuncture, herbs, walking and sex to get it move along, but nothing’s worked. This leads me to believe that the baby is just not yet totally ready.

My blood pressure is stellar, and this morning my non-stress test showed a healthy, active baby with a great heartbeat and activity level. I have ample amniotic fluid, and my placenta has a little bit of calcification but just looks like an “at-term” placenta.

I am also 100% effaced and 1.5 cm dilated, with baby at 0 station, and have been for almost three weeks. Everything is going along just fine!

That said, my parents-in-law have been calling everyday worried as hell, despite the fact that we keep telling them that everything is normal and perfect. They keep asking when I’m going to decide to get induced, because “This is just getting crazy” and “We’re beginning to wonder if you’re actually pregnant” and “This is too much”. Plus, my mother-in-law is freaking out about Thanksgiving and knows that if the baby is only a few days old, we won’t be going over there for the holiday. They want me to induce RIGHT NOW to relieve THEIR anxiety and make sure that we can come over for Thanksgiving.

In short, they are control freaks and are beginning to convey that they think there is something wrong with me for NOT taking this into my own hands and inducing immediately. It’s insulting.

We have a doula and have been planning on a natural birth, have a wonderful doctor who is totally supportive of natural birth, and if there is no medical reason for intervention, we want to avoid it. If the baby is not here by 42 weeks, we will induce – but not before then since everything is just fine.

How do we get my in-laws to stop stressing US out and making me feel like I’m doing something “wrong”?

Thanks in advance.

Bio-hormone therapy for back pain…?

I am a 32 year old female with a long history of back/spine problems and consequently, moderate to severe chronic pain.

When I became pregnant in Aug of 08 I was terrified of how the pregnancy was going to affect my pain and mostly expected to be on bed rest in the later months. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I was in my third trimester and felt better than I had in quite a few years! I continued to feel much less pain in my back (low neck, upper thoracic between shoulder blade and spine and low left lumber areas mostly) for the remainder of my pregnancy. According to the research I’ve done, it seems this mas likely due to the natural hormones created/released by the body during this time (i.e. relaxin). A chiropractor I was seeing during the end of my preg. and for a short while after delivery, told me there is a form of alternative treatment called “bio hormone therapy” which uses synthetics of these hormones that are created in the body during pregnancy. My question is, how do I find more information on this and find a health professional in my area that can help me? (I live in CT, USA)
“dave” – Thanks for the answer but I think I failed to give an accurate picture of my situation. I left out a lot because my question didn’t really warrant the knowledge. I have been to every kind of doctor there is – and many of each (orthopedic surgeons, Rhumatologists, Spine specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, physiatrists, accupuncturists… you get the picture. The chiropractor that was treating me was NOT out to get my money and it’s sad that that was your immediate reaction to my question. I was the one who asked him about why my pain was less severe/more manageable during the last months of my pregnancy and he confirmed my thoughts that it may have had something to do with the body’s natural chemical production (in preparation for labor). He also said that he was no expert but that I should look into the bio hormone treatments as a possibility. FYI, just because someone doesn’t have 8 years+ of school and an MD after their name, they can still be quite knowle
… knowledgeable from experience and self-study. In fact I have been to some “doctors” that know much less than I about scoliosis and the potential resulting conditions, etc, simply because I have been dealing with these issues for over 13 years now and I do quite a lot of research myself. The majority of what a new doc knows is what he/she was taught in books. In most cases I’d take the experience of 20-30 years in practice, doing self-study out of a genuine interest in the human body’s functions and mysteries, over the fresh out f college hot-shot A-student doc any day.

Question about prenatal vitamins ?

ok, so ive tried taking the all natural ones from walmart, one a days, the ones the doc prescribed, and Flintstones. and they all make me extremely sick. my diet isnt as good as it should be either. since ive become pregnant, the taste of fruits make me gag. i had a professional nutritionist come over for a few hours, and she showed me how to make “yummy” shakes out of fruits and veggies…every combo ive tried makes me gag. ive also become EXTREMELY lactose intolerant during this pregnancy…i tried drinking milk last week..and it made me sooooo sick. im not supposed to eat red meats right now, or salty items because im having weird blood pressure patterns, and my doc does not want to put me on medication for it until necessary. the doctor said that i should be fine with this diet until im 20wks, then i need to try the prenatals again. well im 20 wks now…and no change. everything makes me sick. can this hurt my baby? im very worried about it. i feel him kick and move around, so i know hes ok…but im worried about his growth/health. anyone have this problem? please dont say “go to the doc” because i have, and she sorta brushes me off, or tells me to “refer to you baby books” or some crap.

Did I have a blighted ovum or missed miscarriage?

Hi all, wonder if anyone can shed any light as I am confused!
About 3 months ago I was 11 weeks pregnant and experienced very light bleeding. I had an ultrasound and all that could be seen was a gestational sac, which just looked like a big black teardrop shape. There was no fetal pole or heartbeat to be found. I was booked in for a D& C and, on my notes, the doctor wrote ‘missed miscarriage’ – so that is what I believed I had.
Obviously I was devastated, but now I am 7 weeks pregnant again and extremely happy. I am very anxious about the chance of miscarrying again so I had a scan at 6 weeks and saw a very clear, strong heartbeat which was wonderful.
I have, I’m afraid, been obsessing a bit and looking at the internet to see what my chances are of carrying my baby to term. I have come across the term ‘blighted ovum’ – where a baby is conceived but there is something genetically wrong and, within the first trimester, it stops developing and either a natural miscarriage occurs or its seen on an ultrasound and a D&C is performed.
Now my question is this, and I hope you understand! Did I have a blighted ovum? Could there ever have been a fetus that died and was reabsorbed or broke apart? The Doctor said the sac looked about 8 weeks gestation. But it was clearly empty, me and my hubby could see that. Our dates were accurate as well, there was no way of confusing 8 weeks with 11 weeks.
What is the difference between blighted ovum and missed miscarriage? Does a blighted ovum turn into a missed miscarriage if the pregnancy and its symptoms continue but the fetus has died? Can I ever know whether anything developed?
Plus, and this is the biggie, if a heartbeat is seen at 6 weeks – can that baby then go on to be a blighted ovum?
Help! It’s all very confusing and we really weren’t informed that much in hospital.
Obviously seeking reassurance as this baby is very much wanted.
Thank you X

Help with birthing classes?

My midwife has been harping on me to take childbirth classes with my husband. I would like a natural childbirth if possible, but am having a hard time choosing between Lamaze, Hypnobirthing or Bradley Method. This is my first pregnancy and I have little clue as to what’s going to happen during labor, but I thought a logical solution to my dilemma would to just buy a few different childbirth books read them all and then sort of utilize elements from each method during my childbirth…and then take the basic childbirth class at the hospital. (my midwife has told me to take this class in conjunction with another birthing method class)

So I guess my question is, are the birthing classes (such as Lamaze or Hypnobirthing) completely necessary if I do extensive research on my own? If you took any of these classes were they useful? Any other advice is appriciated!

a head start on preparing for birth of children ?

I really want to be a mother some day. so I guess the idea of giving birth has really fascinated me and scared me at the same time… what I’m most concerned about is (1) having a healthy birth for my child and me, and then (2) how I can best minimize the pain of birth. So I’ve been doing some research online.

Here’s some things I’ve already decided on:
>>I want a natural birth, if possible. because thats the way women were created to give birth.
>>I don’t want an epidural, because of possible side affects (longer labor, complications) …I think I want some kind of pain killer, but i’m not sure what would be the safest.
>>I think I want an upright birth position where my husband could sit/hold me from behind.
>>I also would like a trusted female friend who has given birth herself, to help me through my pregnancy and be there for the birth as extra support.
>>I want to be as educated as I can: take a class, read books, a learn relaxation techniques, etc.
(I understand that it may not happen the way I want.)

I am a kinda scared of the whole idea of birth, because, as of now, I don’t have a very high pain tolerance. my fear is that the time is going to come and I’m going to be absolutely terrified, and I’ve heard that fear tenses up the muscles and can make birth harder/more painful. So I don’t want that.

Important information: I’m 19 right now, and I’m not planning on having children for at least 5 years.
The reason why I’m researching birth right now is so that I can get used to the main ideas of what happens, so that when I am pregnant and taking a class/reading up and preparing, everything won’t be so surprising- I would have the idea of “okay, I’ve heard about this before, no need to freak out.”

Idk, so basically, instead of just 9 months to get ready, I’m taking 5 years. I’m not freaking out about it now, because 5 years is awhile. but I figured its good to start thinking about it now.

What do you ladies think of starting so early?? and the decisions I’ve already made??
Any other advice you might have for me??
thanks, everyone 🙂

I’m due to have my 2nd baby in 5 weeks and starting to freak out about labour!?

My first baby (who is now 28 months old) was in the posterior position, spine to spine, and took 46 hours to get him out – after 36 hours I ended up having pethadine and gas – and that slowed everything down and so I was pushing for three hours (9pound baby boy)! I didnt tear, just grazed a little bit. So it wasnt an easy labour lol

This time round, I’ve decided to go to the birth centre to have a natural labour, no drugs unless medically advised

But now, i’m starting to remember all the little details that i thought i forgot! I know its natural and normal to be scared, but I wish it was like my first pregnancy when i didnt know what was coming

Anyone else feel ‘scared’ about going into labour again?

I am 18 days late… could I be pregnant?

I am 33 years old mother of 3 a 15 year old daughter, an 11 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. I have used ept tests tpo find out I was pregnant with the 3 of them. And in the first try they have been correct a + sign. My first two children were natural and the little girl was c section (bridged). I stoped putting the once a month birth control shop on November of 2007. Doctors orders. To stop shot for a while and use the pill. Well I didn’t get them till like the end of January. My husband and I were intement without protection on the 15th of January 08. Around Febuary 5th I had clear discharge with a thin vein of blood so I figured I was going to start my period soon but nothing yet. I made me a 99¢ Store pregnancy test on the 17th of Febuary and it was negative. I then made me an ept on the 22nd of Febuary and it also was negative. I’ve been having lots of clear discharge, lots of gas, mood swings, a lot of running to the bathroom, my breast look fuller, my pants fit me tight
on my waist. My 2 year old is VERY fussy. I don’t have insurance to go see a doctor. I called a Parenthood Clinic around my area and asked how much they charge for a blood pregnancy test and they said $90 woooow. Any advise or familiar stories???????
Serious coments only please!!!
The two tests I have done with the first morning urine.

How do u deal with being soo exhausted and having a toddler?

We just found out we finally got prego after months of trying!!! I used an EPT so I found out a few days before I would have missed my period. But even though I’m like 4 weeks tomorrow I am already sooo exhausted I can’t even stand it. We have a 21 month old who is an amazingly well behaved child (thank god), and she does do really great at playing alone for a while. I’m a SAHM and I really have no idea how I’m going to get through the day everyday this exhausted. I swear last pregnancy I was NOT like this. In the last 2 days I’ve taken 3 naps during the day!!! And that was after going to bed early and sleeping in (I have an AMAZING hubby!) My 21 month old only take 1 35 minute nap in the afternoon. So even if I sleep with her; that is not enough! What can I do? Obviously caffine is OUT! And to top it off we have a huge event we’re hosting next Sunday and I am worried not only how I’ll stay awake through it; but I’m worried about being sick the whole time. In my frist pregnancy at about the 5-6 week mark I literally locked myself in our bedroom in the dark for 4 days and did’nt do anything but sip water, throw up, and sleep. I’m so affraid something like that will happen again. I can not miss our event next week; what can I do? Are there any safe natural foods that will boost energy? And also anything that will stop nusea?

What do I do if I get girl pregnant and not married?

What do I do if I get girl pregnant and not married?
Hi my name is Steven and I got this girl pregnant nine months ago and I found out ne month into her pregnancy. We did have a DNA test three months into her pregnancy and I found out that it was my baby. We are not married at all. She is now nine months pregnant and the doctor said last week that she is due any day. she went into labor 3 hours ago and said to me that her water broke and that blood is starting to come out. I took her to the hospital and they are taking care of her now. they said she is ready to have the baby now and is fully dilated. She said she is going to have a natural painful childbirth with no drugs at all. What do I do now? I need answers quick. I am 16 years old today and she is 18 year old.

Having trouble bonding with my daughter, has anyone else been through this? Long question?

With my son (first born) i loved him the minute he was born, natural birth, 8 hours from start to finish, everything about it was perfect. He was healthy and no problems. He is now almost 20 months old and he in my eyes is the most perfect boy ever, i look at him and i cant help but smile. even when he really gets to me he will do something totally cute the next minute and il totally forget about what hes done to pi** me off.

I got pregnant with my daughter (now 4 months) when my son was only 6 months old, she was not planned and we were only using condoms. As soon as i knew i was pregnant i had a gut feeling something wasnt right, throughout the whole pregnancy i felt great. All the scans showed that she was fine, no downs syndrome, nothing wrong. then i went for my midwife appointment at 36 weeks and my belly was only measuring 34 weeks so i was sent for a scan. She in fact was on the small side, she was only just measuring the acceptable limit (any smaller and i would have to have been hospitalized and monitored for the rest of my pregnancy) she was measuring 33 weeks and 4lb 5oz.

So i got referrered to hospital and had to go for scans and to have her heartbeat monitored every 2nd day (3 times a week). Found out my placenta was failing and i had low amniotic fluid which was causing her poor growth. then at 38 weeks 6 days while i was hooked up to all the machines a doctor came in and said to me “ok, we can do your induction this morning”. I knew i was going to be induced but i didnt know they just spring it on you like that. I went home and got my bags and went back to hospital and they started the induction. I hated it. I was in labour for 36 hours before i asked for an epidural, it was an epidural and get pumped full of drugs to help me contract or get a c section. My hormones (you know the feel good ones when you have a natural spontaneous birth) never turned up, i never felt that excitment that you feel when alol of a sudden you realise your in labour.

Anyway she was born 7lb 6oz. i got to hold her, then the midiwfe gave her a check and turns out they thought she didnt have an anus, well she ended up having one but it comes out her vagina, or they share the same hole, if you get me. She spent a night in the NICU and then we spent an extra 4 nights in hospital. She has had one operation so far and she has a colostomy bag, she is scheduled for her next one in the next 3 months. We named her Lyla roase elizabeth, i didnt particularly like the name, its pretty. But not what i wanted to name her, the whole pregnancy i had been calling her alfie, but no one (mum, dad, partners parents, grandparents) liked the name so partner refused to let me name her alfie rose elizabeth (he told me this while i was in labour, before that i was 100% sure her name would be alife) so he decided that lyla was a good name and we can call her that. I look at her and i see an alfie, weird i know because its aparently a ‘boys’ name, she suits lyla, but she is so an alfie that its not funny. When she was 3 weeks old i told my fiance i wanted to change her name because i didnt think lyla was the right name for her, he told me not to be stupid and that its a good name.

I breastfeed her and i play with her heaps but i just dont have the bond that i have with my son. I have been tested for post natal depression twice once at 6 weeks when i told my midwife my feelings, then again at 3 months to be re evaluated. Turns out i dont have it, just having problems bonding. I hardly ever have just 1 on 1 time with my daughter which may be part of the problem. She smiles at me, i can make her laugh and its great. But i dont get that warm fuzzy feeling i get with my son. I have even thought about switching to formula because i dont seem to be bonding, but then i thought if i stop breastfeeding i will loose what little bond i have.

Just wondering if anyone else felt like this and if it ever got better? Or any tips on what i can do, i so badly want the special bond that i have with my son, with my daughter

RePost: Should I just go for the C-section? looking for some more responses?

I know this is really only something I and my OB can decide but I would like some opinions. I really wanted to go all natural but I don’t know if it is even worth trying.

Reasons:
This is my second child. My first was born at 21 weeks gestation and died shortly after birth due to placental abruption.
They will not have me go past about 36 weeks so as to not put any additional pressure on my placenta.This means induction which %40 of all inductions end in c-sectons anyway.
This baby also has a umbilical cord that is attached to the side of the placenta instead of the middle so he will likely be growth restricted and lower in birth weight.

I have read that usually they let you try to labor normally but if the baby shows sings of distress than they do a c-section. The baby can have trouble getting enough oxygen and in rare cases the umbilical cord can pull away from the placenta during labor leaving him without any oxygen until they can rush the c-section. But now I am thinking I don’t even want to risk having problems when laboring. I am thinking I am just going to ask for a planned c-section. We do want more kids but after what we have been through we care more about getting through this pregnancy than worrying about the future and how c-sections effect future pregnancies. What is your opinion?

Additional Details
My pregnancy is considered high risk and I am currently seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. She is generally not one to push the c-section and she said I do not HAVE to go early if I insists on going longer we can do that but I have already held one child as he took his last breath…. I can’t do that again. I am going to do what they recommend and let them take this baby early. March of Dimes had done a study that shows before 36 weeks there are more risks and problem but as of right now there are no known long term risks of problems for those infants born after 36 weeks. My doctor really hasn’t even suggested a c-section as of yet but I just am trying to decide if I just want to ask for one.

What natural induction method worked for you during pregnancy ?

We’ve all heard them all, sex, castor oil, tea, spice food, you name it.
Anyone ever tried these and then gone into labor? If so how many weeks were you?
What did you do? How long until it worked?
I don’t remember asking for any ” LOL” remarks.
Obviously, I know they don’t always work, and can’t be proven to be other than coincidence, and I don’t care. I was asking for stories by those who have tried it and it worked. I’m getting piton induced on my duedate anyway. I was just curious.
Thumbs down to you 😉
Pitocin*

Im getting induced tomorrow and very nervous?

I just want to hear other people experiences. This is my third pregnancy. The other 2 were all natural but since i have gestational diabetes im being induced tomorrow. What are the contractions like? Ive heard they are worse then a natural labor. Has anyone experienced natural labor and then had an induction too?

This is a question for all the mommies. Answer these questions? Please just for fun.?

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Hubby
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?

9. DUE DATE?
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD’S SEX?

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGHT?
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM?

28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?

Repost: Have you ever seen/heard of an anesthesiologist give an epidural during the middle of a contraction?

I’m watching some birth stories and one woman was in the middle of a contraction when the anesthesiologist stuck her during the contraction. I’ve been there myself with my oldest child. It’s HARD to hold still when you’re in that much pain. How is it so hard to wait until the contraction is over, you know?

On another note I’ve always wondered why most doctors feel like labor and delivery must be treated like a “sickness” rather than a natural process that is to unfold as it comes. I understand with high risk pregnancies or complications the purpose of medical interventions during labor and delivery. However, most pregnancies are normal and don’t *need* things like pitocin or c-sections or to be strapped to a bed and told not to move around to help labor pick up. Most doctors want to stick a woman with pitocin as soon as she walks in the door in labor and I just don’t see why.

Anyhow, what are your thoughts and feelings on such things? Do you think the hospitals lean way too much towards unnecessary interventions for normal, healthy pregnancies/labors?
I also just wanted to add that I’ve done labor and delivery both ways (medical interventions, that weren’t necessary but because it was my first child I didn’t know better, and without the unneeded interventions with my second child.) I’ve been in both situations, so I was wondering about you other moms. I plan on a birth center for my 3rd baby who I am currently carrying.

Rat pregnant, milk replacement (10 points)?

I have a pregnant rat (About 2 1/2 weeks along) and I am making an emergency kit available in case she doesn’t produce milk. However, I am on a budget because this was an ‘oops’ pregnancy. I went on vacation and a friend let the male and female rats play together. I have several questions.

1)What is the best milk replacement for baby rats?

2)What temperature?

3)How often do I feed them and how much? I own a 1cc needle-less syringe from previous Baytril needs.

4)I own a glass cage (ten gallon) what can I use as bedding. The bedding I have now is too gritty (All natural, corn made bedding.) and would hurt the babies I believe. I can use old shirts, cloth, ect. Would that suffice?

5)Any special care I need to give? Please explain in detail.

What may be the symbolic meanings of those 9 forms of Mother Goddess Durga ?

Nine forms which we worship on 9 nights are:
1. Shaila Puthri, 2. Brahmacharini , 3.Chandraghanta, 4.Kooshmanda, 5.Skandamaatha, 6.Kaathyayini, 7.Kaalaraathri, 8.Mahaagowri, & 9.Siddhidaarhtri.

Are these 9 forms symbolically explain those nine type of changes; which are natural changes of a female like 1.child,2.infant,3.menses circle,4. pregnancy, 5.childbirth, 6.happy housewife, 7 menopause, 8.free from menses circle and, 9. blessing old mother???

Pregnancy after miscarriage?

I had a complete, natural miscarriage on february 9th. I had a positive pregnancy test 2 days ago (march 15th) plus mild symptoms. If i miscarried 4-5 weeks ago, about how far along would think I am?
i also havent had a period since my miscarriage either.
I have already made an OBGYN appointment. They tried to schedule me for when i was to be 10 weeks along bc apparently my doctor doesnt like to see second pregnancy patients until they are far enough along to hear the heartbeat. I negotiated with them to see me sooner due to the miscarriage but the soonest they gave me was at 8 weeks. When i got my HCG levels tested for the miscarriage he said the numbers were dropping tremendously and that within a couple weeks (max) they would be back down to zero. So i cant imagine the HCG levels detected on this new pregnancy test would be left over from the last failed pregnancy as i dont imagine they’d even be high enough to be detected. Maybe i should call the ob and demand to be seen sooner to have another blood test drawn? If he insists to wait, would my family doctor do the test?

Very odd pregnancy test question but very important, please answer!!?

About a year and a half ago I got a false positive pregnancy test, about 5 days ago I got a faint one and today I got a faint one but a negative in between and I’m 7 days late for spotting and 5 days late for a regular flow and some how I just know I won’t be getting it, I guess maybe because I don’t have PMS maybe but I know I won’t get my period.. Could I have gotten false positives again? Will it show up positive on a blood test if those were positive? I’m getting blood test done tomorrow but I’m wondering. My fiance and I want a baby and we’ve tried for a good while and basically gave up after last month because of my fiance joined the military because he won’t leave for basic until june and doesn’t want to be gone while a baby is born, that said we still don’t use protect because we’ve never gotten pregnant and I am not supposed to be able to naturally due to scarring inside of me. I know its not stress because I’m finally stress free with everything working out perfectly lately. I want to be excited but I don’t want to be let down again either. And right now my fiance isn’t being supportive, he just wants me to forget it and says the negative was right and I need to get over it. I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to think right now, can anyone help me?

**I’m not nor was I ever on regular hormone drugs, I don’t like that stuff so I was taking natural supplements and quit.
I should have been more clear, I had a faint one 5 days ago, a negative yesterday, and a faint one today.

No period for 2 weeks. Pregnancy symptoms. Negative test? (semi-long)?

So, We’ve been trying to conceive and so far, I don’t think we are having any luck 🙁
I hope I’m just being cynical, haha.

My period is now 15 days late. I tested a few weeks ago at the doctors office (which was obviously too early because it would have not even been a week after conception) and I also tested 2 days ago. Both were negative .
The test from 2 days ago, I might have messed up. I read the instructions and it said to not get urine in the result window, and I accidentally did. The negative line was VERY faint.
I hope it’s a false neg.

Anyways, I thought my period had finally regulated because it was regular for about 5 months (a 32 day cycle). Then this month, I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been eating healthy, and I haven’t been stressed at all. I don’t have thyroid problems or PCOS.

The first day of my last period was on November 3rd.
I’m having similar symptoms of pregnancy: random waves of Nausea with occasional vomiting (It’s worse in the morning), fatigue, Headaches, Dizziness, back pain, and occasional irritability. I have had a lot of watery discharge (sorry if thats tmi) My breasts looks swollen and I’ve noticed a few blue veins in my areolas that I don’t believe were there before. I haven’t had ANY bleeding. I think I may have had very light brown spotting, but I only seen it once and it was 4 days after my missed period. Idk if it would show that late if it WERE implantation bleeding.

I think I’m going to test again in a week.

If I’m not pregnant, what natural ways could I help keep my cycle regular? I know eating healthy helps. What about taking a prenatal vitamin instead of a regular vitamin? Are there any foods that boost fertility?

How would I tell my gynecologist I’d be interested in taking Clomid or something?
All information is greatly appreciated <3
I'm just waiting until after Christmas, because if it's negative, I'm gonna be quite depressed. I don't wanna ruin my or my fiance's holiday spirit.

No period for 2 weeks. Pregnancy symptoms. Negative test?

So, We’ve been trying to conceive and so far, I don’t think we are having any luck 🙁
I hope I’m just being cynical, haha.

My period is now 14 days late. I tested a few weeks ago at the doctors office (which was obviously too early because it would have not even been a week after conception) and I also tested 2 days ago. Both were negative
The test from 2 days ago, I might have messed up. I read the instructions and it said to not get urine in the result window, and I accidentally did. The negative line was VERY faint.
I hope it’s a false neg.

Anyways, I thought my period had finally regulated because it was regular for about 5 months (a 32 day cycle). Then this month, I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been eating healthy, and I haven’t been stressed at all. I don’t have thyroid problems or PCOS.

The first day of my last period was on November 3rd.
I’m having similar symptoms of pregnancy: random waves of Nausea with occasional vomiting (It’s worse in the morning), fatigue, Headaches, Dizziness, back pain, and occasional irritability. I have had a lot of watery discharge (sorry if thats tmi) My breasts looks swollen and I’ve noticed a few blue veins in my areolas that I don’t believe were there before.

I think I’m going to test again in a week.

If I’m not pregnant, what natural ways could I help keep my cycle regular? I know eating healthy helps. What about taking a prenatal vitamin instead of a regular vitamin? Are there any foods that boost fertility?

All information is greatly appreciated <3

How can I have my fiance and my best friend present during labor but not my mom?

Me and my mom dont always get along well. My fiance doesnt want her in the delivery room with us because she is really great at stressing me out. She didnt support my pregnancy until I was already in my 7th month. When I told her I was pregnant she cried out of anger and not joy. Im 25 years old. Her response was that she was too young to be a grandmother. Shes 44. Our pregnancy was planned. It took us a year to conceive our son going through one miscarriage in the beginning. My fiance has been great and my best friend has been so comforting and supportive. I was there when her daughter was born and I want her to be there for me also. Im afraid my mom is going to stress me out. Im trying to go natural or with very little pain meds. My family thinks its wrong to have my fiance and my best friend and not my mother. Now that Im in the home stretch my mom is actually showing excitement and support. I need some advice…..PLEASE…..Im stressing over it and not sure what to do. Im due Jan 22nd.

Has anyone else had a low lying placenta?

I have been diagnosed as having a low lying placenta. It is 2cm from the cervical opening (at my 19 week scan). I have another scan in 2 weeks to determine if it has moved up enough for me to have a natural birth (my preference). If it hasn’t then I will have to have a c/s birth which I am realllllly not looking forward to (I have a fear of surgery, and the recovery time after a c/s is longer than a natural birth).

For those out there who have had this problem what options were you given by your health provider?

Did your placenta move up later in the pregnancy? I have heard the statistics are in 90% of cases they do but good old me is thinking “Well I am in the unlucky 10%”….
I am 28 weeks pregnant

???????????? 2 or 3 children or more ?

How was your pregnancy/pregnancies??? Planned or surprises??? How was your labour/s??? how many weeks were you, was you induced or natural??? How many children do you have??? How many do you want??? Is this how you thought family life would be??? I’m just curious. I have 2 boys one’s 19 months old and the other is nearly 10 weeks old and I want more. (maybe 1 more) would like 4 children but we’ll see. My family life is just how I expected it to be. Busy busy busy and very tiring but loving my boys millions. I didn’t enjoy my pregnancies to much, I was too hormonal and had spd with second and both were lovely surprises. Labour wasn’t how I planned. An emergency caesarean which ended with a general as epidural didn’t work properly and an assisted vbac after 20 hours of contactions at home before getting to the hospital and being so tired that I didn’t have enough strength to push my son out without help. Also got a 3rd degree tear. Both scars healed well and very quickly. Labours were 27 and half hours and 43 hours both from waters breaking naturally. 1st was 41 weeks and 2nd at 40+4 weeks.

My exgirlfrien said she was raped. She had no signs of it but her mood. There was nothing else, was this real.

She came home, sore after staying at her girlfiriends, she has stayed there before but not come home so sore. She hid the fact until the next day even though it was obvious something was wrong. There was no physical evidence, she said she went to the hospital and reported, but no papers, no documents. I seemed to want proof. The next week she had the pregnancy scare. This whole time is a living hell for me so I qeustion it happening and she becomes mad. I seemed to do more damage than the supposed rape. I never found out if it was actually true, no real details. She was at the bar with a friend, the friend left her at the bar so she got a ride with an old high school friend, he supposedly took a detour pulled over and raped her, she had no signs of a struggle, looked alright, all her long natural finger nails where there, was it true, does that sound true, am I a bad person for not believing or getting mad, why would she not tell me more, what should i have doen, I still want to know?
I did stay with her for quite some time after all this went down, it was very comforting for her as it seemed, of course her behavoir became more violent than in the past and continued to go to the bar with the girl who left there. I still stayed with. cause I iked her, told her to settle down with the partying, because she had been raped in the past coming back from the bar, basicly curious to what people thought about her story instead some were angry at me, no i stayed with her, comforted her and tried to convince her to get counseling, gave her space when she needed. To me as much as it seemed like a story i tried to believe and think eventually its what caused my leaving, seriously, why would she want to go back to the bar, with that friend, I felt bad becuase I was not there for her that night but she liked it that way, her friend did too, they had some lesbian past but maybe still going, she was too much, who knows, that is why I came here. for sure not crawling back, just away

pregnancy and hair dye?

Okay so I’m 37 weeks, and I was wanting to get my hair dyed back to my natural color. I tried looking into my book of dos and donts that my doctors office gave me and they never once mentioned hair dye. But last time I was pregnant (the same doctors office) told me I can dye my hair once in third trimester…

Can you dye your hair in pregnancy? If so when is a good time?

CS- Which do you take more issue with about breeding?

I’m in the UK and I’m watching, at this moment, a program called Animal 24/7, which is about the RSPCA- I don’t care if you agree with them or not, the program is interesting- and one of the cases is, as it often seems to be, with a cat hoarder. Which do you personally take more issue with? (Sorry, a bit lengthy!)

1.) A hoarder with 10+ cats/kittens, non fixed or vaccinated with the cats becoming a part of the mental disorder that makes them hoard. The hoarder lives in an urban or suburban area but is very cluttered and tends to keep everything they find and are often antisocial and apart from the rest of society, and the cats just become a part of that, almost a collection rather than animals, though they do claim and probably do love them a lot. They don’t have a lot of animal knowledge/common sense and may have started with only one or two cats without the education to know they need fixing (because money may not have been an issue for a couple of cats, it’s just now when it’s become multiple numbers) and then the group grew. They don’t seek help online (either on forums like this or just Googling) but may own one or two books about cats. Their cats still breed like mad, diseases spread easily (lack of money/common sense to get them treated) and often groups like the RSPCA have to step in. They don’t make OR lose money from this situation- they just /have/ cats and the cats just do as they want.

2.) A ‘normal’, middle class family who get a cat (female, let’s say for example’s sake) and choose not to get it fixed. They can afford it, they know what fixing means, but they want her to be breeding either because of ignorance, wanting to make money (let’s say she’s just a moggy, not a purebreed of any sort) or because of some spool like ‘wanting their kids to experience the miracle of birth’. So the cat gets pregnant as soon as her body is able. The family don’t own a book on cat care because it’s ‘just a cat’ and as soon as the tell tale signs of heat come through, the breeding questions start, on here and via Google. They ask for help with EVERYTHING and ignore any information about the vet (they have the money but can’t be bothered, think it’s natural and the cat won’t need help etc.) and often bring their questions onto a public forum and act insulted when people tell them the cat should be spayed or at least visiting a vet. They don’t know what they’re going to do with the kittens but they’re sure it’ll resolve itself- the daughter Susie has a couple of friends who wouldn’t mind a kitten, or there’s always shelters. Because it’s not active neglect (the cat is still feed, given water, flea treatment etc.) the RSPCA etc. won’t get involved but there’s still a chance they’ll be involved somewhere down the line because of a.) The kittens not finding homes and ending up in RSPCA shelters or b.) the kittens finding homes but not being suitable/forever homes causing the society to get involved at a later date. They’ll probably keep the cat unfixed either forever or until she starts getting complications from repeated pregnancies and births, but they’re unlikely to get a mass of kittens and any cats they do keep are unlikely to get/stay unwell.

In my mind, the worse situation is the second one- a middle class family choosing to get a pet as part of their family, having no excuse not to get the thing fixed, and dragging out what happens on a public forum, whereas situation one is almost an extension of mental illness (though that’s no excuse).

What do you think? What boils your blood more? Even if you think there’s no public forum involved in either situation (so one still doesn’t seek help, and family two only uses Google and premade sites, not involving other people) which one would make you more annoyed to hear/see about?

Is anyone else feeling a bit scared/panicky about giving birth? Also, what about homebirth?

It really hit me last night for some reason! I was having some strong Braxton Hicks (I’m 27 weeks) and it reminded me of just how incredibly painful/scary labour was last time with my son. He was my first baby and I hadn’t really known what to expect, but the latent phase of labour was much longer, and phenomenally more painful, than I’d been led to expect it would be, plus the “pushing” stage was long and agonising! I’ve been told that it might/should be easier (as in shorter) this time round but then of course you get the “OMG my second was worse than my first” horror stories (my husband’s mother is big on those as on all sorts of medical scare stories) which don’t help . . .

Also I really feel like I want a homebirth this time – (I had my son in a midwife-led birth centre so no epidurals etc, I wasn’t planning on one anyway) and didn’t really use any pain releif so thats not an issue – I just hated being moved from home to the birth centre when I was in real pain and felt I would have been able to sleep and relax much better in my own bed afterwards. This time I also really don’t want to be separated from my three year old son for too long by going elsewhere. But my husband is totally against homebirths (I think his mother has put this into his mind, he listens to her too much even though she is fairly ignorant about these things) and so I’ve been booked for the Birth Centre again . . . but I don’t really want to go there!!! Can I change my mind? And do you think that my husband should try to respect my decision, seeing that I’m the one who will be giving birth and not him? Obviously I know that if there are any “problems” I won’t be able to have a homebirth but my pregnancy has been totally straightforward and is not “high risk” in any way, and having had a natural, unmedicated birth before I think I would be a good candidate . . .any advice??

(PS not interested in rants about homebirths being “dangerous” etc, they are popular here in Wales and always medically managed. Noone with a complicated/risky pregnancy would be allowed to have one anyway . . . )
Zoz – Diolch yn Fawr . . !

38 weeks pregnant and in soo much distress :(?

i have a severe rash all over my arms, legs, feet , hips and bum!! been to the docs twice and all the creams they have given me irrate it im booked in for a blood test tues and have midwife the same day a week before im due!! which is how long u have to wait for the results.. i have been stuck in my house cos the the heat and clothes irritate it, im currently smothered in natural yoghurt to try 2 reduce the soreness its making me even more emotional and stressed, just wondering if anyone has had similar problems and what they done to help the problem? first pregnancy and at this moment in time its going to be my last ………

FACEBOOOK First Born Quiz?

I got sent this on facebook and thought I’d share

WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Wow, that was quick (we’d only been trying for 2 months)

WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Never , ever, this baby was very very wanted

HOW OLD WERE YOU? 37

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I had one taste of my favourtie food ( chicken and corn soup) and it tasted disgusting , my mother said “you know, thats a pregnancy symptom”

WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My husband (showed him the positive test

DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes

DUE DATE? October 19 2008

DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, but it only lasted for a month or so

WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Bananas and pineapple donuts

WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My mother

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD’S SEX Male

DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I didn’t care I just wanted a healthy baby

HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? About 10 kilos (sorry, I don’t know what that is in pounds)

DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes

WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I helped organise it

DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Hypertension

WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Canberra Hospital, Australia

HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 15

WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband

WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? My husband, the midwife and the attending physician

WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION Natural, very nearly a c section tthough

DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I caved in after 12 hours of contractions and had an epidural

HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?? 2.6 kg

DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS??? He was a little stunned after being born and spent 25 hours in a humidicrib in the newborn care centre, just to be on the safe side

WHAT DAY WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ON? October 17 2008

WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Malcolm James (after my father who had passed away 7 years earlier0

HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 11 months and a few days (wow, where did that year go?)

How to deal with negitive comments about my sceduled c-sectioN??

My first pregnany ended with me being induced at 38 weeks due to preclampsia. They gave me pictocin and the following day broke my water and after 2 days of being in labor the doctor said they couldn’t wait any longer and I had a c-section…I’m currently 22 weeks. My in laws who I am very close too have already made some hurtful comments. Like good thing it’s not the old days or you would have just died. My family is very pro natural childbirth and have acted like I did a poor job with my baby because I couldn’t do it naturally. Now with this pregnancy my doctor told me I could decide to have a c-section or try vaginaly. I feel like since there are risks with both that I want a c-section since I know what to expect and my last c-section went perfectly. I was walking around feeling great within 2 weeks. Everyone keeps making comments like your having vaginal childbirth right? I know I should telll them it’s not there buisness but I love being a mommy and I want to feel proud of myself not ashamed. How do I ingore there comments and know I’ve made the right decision??
Thank you all for being so nice and understanding..
my son was 8lb 8 oz. the doctor said that could have been one of the reasons my labor didn’t progress.

So I heard that …. ?

So I heard that they will not let me go for the full pregnancy because I am pregnant with twins. also what do they do when they wheel me in ? Please take me through the steps . I do not want to have a C-section I want to have a natural birth . Also any baby names ? And my doctor is a male he is about 31 years old , will there be a female nurse in the room and when they get me into the robe will the female nurse help me ?
Oh yeah they are girls {:

I’m Pregnant and My Boyfriend is Unhappy?

I’m twenty-two years old, my boyfriend Alex is twenty-five and we have been together for almost two years.

Alex and I have recently moved into a place of our own. It’s a spacious house, though unfurnished and we are having to save up every penny to make it seem more like a home. We both got off to a fantastic start, I met Alex through work and was attracted to him because he was funny, laid back and genuinely seemed to care for me. I have met his family as well and we all get on very well.

In the last few months I have noticed a change in our relationship. Alex works very long hours as we are tight on money, I have a part time job but am going to be starting full time next week. I have seen a change in Alex’s usually easy-going and happy go lucky personality. I now realise that he gets frustrated and annoyed far too easily, and recently speaking to him (about anything) is like treading on egg shells. We used to live in a shared house before, and I thought that finally getting a place of our own would help us become stronger, but if anything our relationship has deteriorated even more.

I found out I was pregnant yesterday afternoon. Alex and I had been expecting prior to this but we lost our baby at twenty-two weeks and it was devastating. The first pregnancy was unplanned, I got onto the pill straight after that and didn’t expect to fall pregnant again. It is going to be hard for us, and I know we’re not ready. I have had such a traumatic experience in the past, I am actually scared of being pregnant again. However I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement and content when I saw the results on my pregnancy test yesterday. I have always thought it is the most natural and beautiful thing.

I was planning to tell Alex when he would arrive from work. He was supposed to be in for 11pm but stumbled in very drunk at 3am instead. I was very tired by this point and feeling very rough. We didn’t get the chance to speak because he immediately came in and started shouting at me. He said that I didn’t take ‘life or money seriously’ and that it was my fault that we are in such a financial rut. He said a lot of hurtful things, I wanted to put it down to the fact that he was drunk but couldn’t help take it personally as well.

I broke the news to him this morning and he didn’t seem happy at all. He very clearly stated that we are not ready to have a baby and we will not be able to afford it.

I now feel that by keeping the baby, Alex will think I am not considering his feelings. I also think he is going to feel forced into working even longer hours and is annoyed about that. Every time I want to talk about it he gets aggy and tells me that ‘terminations are not a big deal’. I can’t figure out whether he is afraid or if he is just being plain insensitive?… I had never considered aborting my baby, and I don’t think I have it in me. A part of me feels that I am selfish for wanting to keep it?

I don’t know what to do. I’m not even sure about our relationship anymore. It’s not going smoothly and I’m worried about my child being stuck between two squabbling adults. My family are totally against my relationship with Alex (because he is not Muslim and we are a cohabiting couple) so they won’t be prepared to help me. I also have very few friends in this city and am worried about how I am going to cope… I don’t feel supported by my boyfriend anymore.

What shall I do?